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The Telegraph

Film on boy who fell to British bullet

Valour on celluloid: A poster of Baji: The Immortal Boat Boy. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar: A film on the courage and valour of Baji Rout, the youngest martyr in the history of the freedom movement of India, will the hit the silver screen in October this year.

The British forces had gunned down 12-year-old Rout, who was born in Dhenkanal district, as he had refused to ferry them across the Brahmani on the night of October 11, 1938.

The short film, Baji: The Immortal Boat Boy, is an initiative of team Xzibit, a group of young creative minds who have come together to narrate the story of Rout.

"We wanted to tell people the timeless story of Rout's bravery, which is still relevant. His inspiring life encouraged many people from the country to join the freedom struggle," said the director of the film Chinmay Das.

The film will be released this October, which also happens to be the month of Rout's birth as well as martyrdom.

Shot in rural locales of Odisha, the film is now in the postproduction stage. Das has made four films, including one on the Rally for Rivers campaign.

Talking about the research he conducted to make the film, Das said: "I read a lot of books and met historians from the state."

"I had to learn about the lifestyles of the Odia people in the 30s and how they dealt with the British atrocities," he added.

"In the process I came across various interesting facts. I have tried to incorporate those in the film," he said.

Debutant Arijeet Mishra plays the role of Rout in the film.

The producer of the film, Satyabrat Sanu Ratho, said: "We are happy to be part of a film that has its roots in our own history and culture. We will send the film to a number of national and international festivals."

"At the same time, we want to encourage young and talented filmmakers, actors and technicians to come up with inspiring cinema in Odisha," he said.